Today is Mothers’ Day so it is fitting to celebrate the mothers of Hadassah and other pioneer women who went to Israel in the first decade of the last century. Some established villages tilling the soil with bare hands. Others created schools and hospitals and social institutions which are the pride of Israel today. Their role in the epic post war rescue of the traumatized survivors of the Holocaust is legendary. They provided housing, schooling, counseling, vocational training and hands on guidance and support. Their memory and story is a blessing. If only they could read Michael Ordman’s weekly news and see the fruits of their labor. rsk
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Success in trials of multiple myeloma treatment. Israel’s BioLineRx (see here previously) has reported positive results in the Phase 3 trial of its Motixafortide treatment in combination with G-CSF for multiple myeloma. The treatment demonstrated improvement from five-fold to 14-fold compared to the control.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-biolinerx-soars-on-positive-phase-3-blood-cancer-trial-results-1001347840
https://ir.biolinerx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/biolinerx-announces-positive-top-line-results-genesis-phase-3
Cancer-fighting bacteria to begin Phase 2 trials. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s NeoTX Therapeutics (see here Mar 2020) has had FDA approval to begin Phase 2a human trials of its Naptumomab Estafenatox (NAP) treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. NAP binds bacteria to the tumor while activating tumor specific immune cells.
https://neotx.com/neotx-announces-fda-clearance-of-ind-for-phase-2-clinical-trial-of-naptumomab-estafenatox-nap-its-lead-tumor-targeted-superantigen-candidate/
Brain stimulation approved for major depression. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s BrainsWay (see here previously) has received US FDA clearance for its 3-minute Theta Burst treatment protocol for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Patients demonstrate meaningful reduction in depression scores after the treatment.
https://www.brainsway.com/news_events/brainsway-receives-fda-clearance-for-three-minute-theta-burst-treatment-protocol-for-major-depressive-disorder/
Machine learning to identify antiviral molecules. Scientists from Israel’s Technion Institute and Ben Gurion University are discovering molecules to fight viruses. They trained a neural network using known treatments and then reversed the process to identify previously untested molecules that bind to and disable virus proteins.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2021/04/machine-learning-for-antiviral-drugs/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21578-6
Molecular tweezers to destroy bacteria. Researchers from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University and elsewhere have developed “molecular tweezers” to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The tweezers destroy the biofilm that protects the bacteria against the immune system. Bacteria cannot develop resistance to this method of attack.
https://americansforbgu.org/bgu-molecular-tweezers-battle-bacteria/
https://www.cell.com/cell-chemical-biology/fulltext/S2451-9456(21)00152-5
Smart training for medical personnel. Israel’s Edocate has developed an app to help educate Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in the management of patients with chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes). Its virtual patient simulation platform allows HCPs to “learn by doing” and “learn by making mistakes” in a no-risk environment.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3906554,00.html https://edocate.com/
Digital systems keep Americans healthy. Israel’s Aidoc (see here) is to provide its CT image analysis AI system for Radiology Partners, whose radiologists work in 10% of all US hospitals. Another Israeli startup DayTwo (see here) has had much success in the US with its microbiome analysis program for diabetics.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-startups-improve-americans-health/
Nephrologist donates his own kidney. Dr. Aharon Bloch of Hadassah Medical Center is the first Israeli nephrologist to donate a kidney to a stranger. He decided after the passing of Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber, the founder of the NGO “Gift of Life” (see here) whom he treated.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305405